1st LD-Writethru: China has the world's largest middle-income population: key meeting

BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China has made historic economic achievements in the past five years, now with the largest middle-income population in the world, said a statement issued after the Central Economic Work Conference which ended Wednesday.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, the Chinese public has shared a growing sense of gain and happiness, and more people have equitable access to basic public services, according to the statement.

Decisive progress has been made in China's fight against poverty, while notable achievements have been seen in controlling air, water and soil pollution.

China's economy grew at an average speed of 7.1 percent during the period, becoming a growth engine and stabilizer for the world economy.

The country has been pushing supply-side structural reform to promote a balance between demand and supply.

It has also been steadily increasing reform in the economic system, adding vitality and resilience to the economy.

Historic achievements and reforms in the economic realm have provided important conditions for reform and development in other areas, the statement said.

The country will continue to improve people's livelihoods, implementing tailored measures to tackle issues such as structural imbalance in employment and difficulties in receiving medical treatment, according to the statement. Enditem